Housing abuse informants may split reward

Stacy Shi and Charlotte Lam

Whistleblowers reporting on the same public housing abuse tenant might have to split the HK$3,000 reward with other tipsters, or the reward will go to the whistleblower who provides the most crucial information, Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin said.

Ho said the focus should not be on the amount of the cash reward, but to raise awareness of citizens correctly using public housing resources.

Speaking on the radio yesterday, she estimated that about 2,600 reports of misuse of public housing would be received each year upon the implementation of the new scheme.

When asked to elaborate on the cash reward, Ho said authorities have considered various scenarios, and an assessment panel could make judgment on the amount to be rewarded to individuals based on the effectiveness of the information.

"For example, in instances where multiple individuals contribute information, the individual providing the most crucial information that assists us will be awarded HK$3,000.

"But if the significance of the information provided by multiple individuals is deemed equal, they may equally share the reward."

In addressing the potential impact of the new scheme on neighborhood relations, Ho stressed people engaging in inappropriate behavior are the ones disrupting the harmony and whistleblowers are right to report them.

Society for Community Organization deputy director Sze Lai-shan said the reward is not much, adding she does not expect many tip-offs as public housing residents might not be willing to use their real name when reporting on abuse. Sze said the measure would provoke suspicion among residents.

She hoped authorities will carefully investigate each reported case and pay particular attention to families with special circumstances.

Scott Leung Man-kwong, a member of the Housing Authority's Subsidised Housing Committee, told a radio show yesterday that while authorities estimate the scheme could see over 2,000 reports and reclaim more than 1,000 public housing units, the ultimate goal is to combat misuse.

He said fewer reclaimed units would be the ideal outcome, as public housing is a valuable resource.

The initiative aims to raise awareness and serve as a deterrent, he said.

"It sends a message to current and future public housing tenants that, beyond the government's mechanisms for tackling abuse, neighbors or other individuals aged 16 or above could also report such cases," he added.

Leung said the effectiveness of the program depends on the quality of the leads provided by informants.

"The focus should not be on fabricating accusations or maliciously targeting others. The reporting mechanism requires real-name submissions, ensuring that authorities can verify claims and prevent indiscriminate or abusive reporting," he said.

Reclaiming even over 1,000 units would represent only a small proportion of the 800,000 public housing households, and law-abiding residents would not be affected, he said.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com